Rangers, Joe Ross Agree To Minor League Deal

Shawn Ross signed a minor league contract with the Rangers after being released by the Diamondbacks. He previously pitched for Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate in Reno and had a brief stint on the major league roster before being designated for assignment. Ross returned to the organization on a minor league deal and later entered free agency. In Triple-A, he posted a 4.29 ERA over 21 innings, with a low strikeout rate but strong control, an above-average ground-ball rate, and weak-contact indicators. His major league experience totals nine partial seasons, and his career has been affected by injuries including Tommy John surgeries and multiple stints on the injured list. He will report to Triple-A Round Rock, likely continuing as a long reliever.

"The Rangers have signed veteran righty to a minor league contract, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports. Ross was recently released by the D-backs. He'd been pitching with their Triple-A club in Reno. Ross made Arizona's Opening Day roster this season after signing a minor league deal in free agency, but the Snakes designated him for assignment after 3 2/3 innings. He elected free agency and returned on a minor league deal."

"Ross, who turned 33 yesterday, enjoyed decent results in a hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League setting. He threw 21 innings for the D-backs' Triple-A club, most of them in long relief, and logged a 4.29 ERA. His 14% strikeout rate is way below average, but Ross' 5.8% walk rate was excellent and his 47.8% grounder rate was strong. He also induced plenty of weak contact, evidenced by an 87.7 mph average exit velocity and 38% hard-hit rate."

"This year's brief run in the majors with Arizona brought Ross up to nine partial seasons in the majors. He's one day shy of eight years of service time. Ross showed glimpses of breaking out as a quality big league starter early in his career, but much like his older brother (Tyson Ross) was routinely set back by injuries. He's had a pair of Tommy John surgeries in his career in addition to a procedure to remove bone spurs from his elbow. Ross has also had multiple IL stints due to lower back injuries and shoulder troubles."

"The Rangers haven't specified what type of role Ross will fill. He'll head to Triple-A Round Rock and presumably continue to operate at least as a long reliever - if not a member of t"

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